Float on T&T? Why not?

[_RaT_]

"How would a hydraulic top link be helpful when bush-hogging?"

I use the hydraulic top link when mowing over the banks of my pond. If I simply backed the mower down the slope with a fully extended top link, I would quickly scalp the hinge point, that area where it goes from more or less flat to the steep sides of the pond. If I pull the link in part or all the way, my mower will be well off the side of the bank. I normally back down link in, once down, extend it as needed and before pulling out, retract the link. It sounds complicated but it isn't and it actually goes pretty fast.

 

[OkieG]

<font color="blue"> How would a hydraulic top link be helpful when bush-hogging? </font>

The 3PH lift arms control the height of the front of the cutter. The toplink controls the height of the tail of the cutter. BOTH are important, though in a standard 3PH arrangement the manual toplink is for all practical purposes set at a fixed length, cuz it's too much trouble to adjust while working.

So, while you can easily control the front end of your deck with your 3PH control handle, the rear of the deck more or less just follows along. Of course, there is some play in the rear of the deck from the built-in "float" of the slotted toplink connector. However, the increased control with a hyd. toplink is truly amazing. If you try it, you will never go back to a manual toplink!

The scenario described by RaT, above, is one I find myself in most every week. Also, backing into a wall of brush, or a hillside, or a sapling you'd rather not drive over is nicer with the rear of the deck raised high. You can then extend the toplink, which will lower the cutter onto the brush, etc. Instant, on-the-fly adjustments are easy. With a hyd toplink you will be fine tuning rear deck height/toplink slack all the time, but it will be easy. The extra control is very nice.

OkieG

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( However, the increased control with a hyd. toplink is truly amazing. If you try it, you will never go back to a manual toplink!
)</font>

Absolutely agree! That HTL is a marvel for cutting over the edge of ponds or the edge of gullys. After using it, I'd feel cheated without it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif